The job of guiding humans through growing up is frustrating and it’s so easy to let our frustrations with parenting affect our precious kids, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
We’ve all raised our voices and lost our tempers when we’re past exasperation and then we feel terrible afterwards. But if we try to remember that our kids are struggling, even if it seems like they’re doing something on purpose, and that we’re there to help them, we can stop yelling and actually help our little ones.
Most kids want to do the right thing, they just can’t always manage their immediate impulses. So if we get down on the kid’s level and say something like: “I can see that you want to do your personal best right now. How can I help with that?” instead of yelling at them, it’s more effective and doesn’t humiliate or shame them into doing what we want them to do.
So reassuring our kids we’re there for them and reminding them that we want them to do their best helps motivate them the right way. And it saves your voice and possibly your sanity. Unless yelling or fear-based motivation is working for you, then carry on, mama.